The Blue Jackets' 2016-17 campaign ended Thursday night in Pittsburgh, but while the sting of a season-ending loss still lingers, there are reasons to be excited for what comes next.
"(From the series against Pittsburgh,) I learned that we're a good team," head coach John Tortorella said. "I thought our guys had no fear. Playing against the Stanley Cup champ, a very good team, they had no fear and we put a ton of good minutes there.
"I'm proud of our club. I like a lot of things about our club. We have to lick our wounds and learn from some of the things that went on in this series. But I can't wait to get going again with them, quite honestly."
If this year is any indication, if this Jackets team puts in the same amount of work into next year, exciting things lie ahead.
The Jackets blew up expectations around the league this season. They were the second youngest team in the NHL and rung up a 50-win, 108-point campaign that included a 16-game win streak.
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